Early Age Spay/Neuter
At what age should kittens be spayed or neutered?
Traditionally, veterinarians sterilized kittens around 6 months of age. However, studies have shown that early-age spay/neuter surgery between 8 and 16 weeks of age is safe. Early-age spaying also helps decrease cat overpopulation. A female cat can become pregnant as young as 4 months old and could have her kittens before some veterinarians would even recommend spaying.
Benefits of early-age spay/neuter
Misconceptions about early age spay/neuter
Misconception: It is healthy for a female cat to have a litter of kittens before she is spayed.
Truth: There is no medically proven benefit to allowing females to have a litter of kittens. In fact, female cats who are spayed before their first heat are usually healthier and have a reduced risk of breast and uterine cancer. Additionally, euthanasia is the leading cause of death in cats. Early age spay/neuter will greatly reduce the number of kittens being born and prevent countless cats and kittens from being euthanized at shelters.
Misconception: Kittens cannot get pregnant prior to 6 months of age.
Truth: Kittens can become pregnant as early as 4 months of age and give birth to their first litter when they are only 6 months old. Endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), many veterinarians are opting to spay and neuter kittens as early as 2 months old. These young animals recover from surgery more quickly than do older ones, and they experience less blood loss and far fewer postoperative complications than do adult cats.
Misconception: Spaying or neutering a cat early in age results in behavioral issues.
Truth: Spaying or neutering a kitten early in age can actually curb certain behavioral issues such as territorial spraying/urinating and aggression.
For more misconceptions vs. truths about spaying and neutering in general, click here.
Organizations that endorse early-age spay/neuter
References
Banfield Pet Hospital. State of Pet Health 2013 Report. Annual report. Portland, Oregon, 2013. http://www.stateofpethealth.com/Content/pdf/Banfield-State-of-Pet-Health-Report_2013.pdf.
Howe, Lisa M., Margaret R. Slater, Harry W. Boothe, H. Phil Hobson, Theresa W. Fossum, Angela C. Spann, and W. Scott Wilkie. “Long-Term Outcome of Gonadectomy Performed at an Early Age or Traditional Age in Cats.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 217, no. 11 (December 1, 2000): 1661–65. doi:10.2460/javma.2000.217.1661.
Kustritz, Margaret V. Root. “Early Spay-Neuter: Clinical Considerations.” Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice 17, no. 3 (August 2002): 124–28. doi:10.1053/svms.2002.34328.
Nolen, R. Scott. “Study Shines Spotlight on Neutering.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association News, October 16, 2013. https://www.avma.org/news/javmanews/pages/ 131101a.aspx.
Traditionally, veterinarians sterilized kittens around 6 months of age. However, studies have shown that early-age spay/neuter surgery between 8 and 16 weeks of age is safe. Early-age spaying also helps decrease cat overpopulation. A female cat can become pregnant as young as 4 months old and could have her kittens before some veterinarians would even recommend spaying.
Benefits of early-age spay/neuter
- Younger animals recover from surgery more quickly than older ones do; they experience less blood loss and far fewer postoperative complications than adult cats do.
- Eliminates risk of pyometra (infection of the uterus)
- Reduces risk of cervical, uterine, and mammary cancer
- Reduces risk of prostatic enlargement and disease in males
- Reduces the risk of testicular cancer in males
- Reduces urination or territorial spraying
- Reduces aggression and roaming behaviors
- Reduces risk of transmitting FIV; reduces males fighting for territory and mates
- Leads to a longer life span
- Helps curb cat overpopulation
Misconceptions about early age spay/neuter
Misconception: It is healthy for a female cat to have a litter of kittens before she is spayed.
Truth: There is no medically proven benefit to allowing females to have a litter of kittens. In fact, female cats who are spayed before their first heat are usually healthier and have a reduced risk of breast and uterine cancer. Additionally, euthanasia is the leading cause of death in cats. Early age spay/neuter will greatly reduce the number of kittens being born and prevent countless cats and kittens from being euthanized at shelters.
Misconception: Kittens cannot get pregnant prior to 6 months of age.
Truth: Kittens can become pregnant as early as 4 months of age and give birth to their first litter when they are only 6 months old. Endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), many veterinarians are opting to spay and neuter kittens as early as 2 months old. These young animals recover from surgery more quickly than do older ones, and they experience less blood loss and far fewer postoperative complications than do adult cats.
Misconception: Spaying or neutering a cat early in age results in behavioral issues.
Truth: Spaying or neutering a kitten early in age can actually curb certain behavioral issues such as territorial spraying/urinating and aggression.
For more misconceptions vs. truths about spaying and neutering in general, click here.
Organizations that endorse early-age spay/neuter
- American Animal Hospital Association
- American Humane Association
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights
- Spay USA
References
Banfield Pet Hospital. State of Pet Health 2013 Report. Annual report. Portland, Oregon, 2013. http://www.stateofpethealth.com/Content/pdf/Banfield-State-of-Pet-Health-Report_2013.pdf.
Howe, Lisa M., Margaret R. Slater, Harry W. Boothe, H. Phil Hobson, Theresa W. Fossum, Angela C. Spann, and W. Scott Wilkie. “Long-Term Outcome of Gonadectomy Performed at an Early Age or Traditional Age in Cats.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 217, no. 11 (December 1, 2000): 1661–65. doi:10.2460/javma.2000.217.1661.
Kustritz, Margaret V. Root. “Early Spay-Neuter: Clinical Considerations.” Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice 17, no. 3 (August 2002): 124–28. doi:10.1053/svms.2002.34328.
Nolen, R. Scott. “Study Shines Spotlight on Neutering.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association News, October 16, 2013. https://www.avma.org/news/javmanews/pages/ 131101a.aspx.